Upon entering the room, the nurse notes that the client has an irregul

Upon entering the room, the nurse notes that the client has an irregular respiratory rate, with pe-riods of apnea and increases in respiration, followed by a reversal of the pattern. The nurse re-ports this respiratory assessment as:

1. Biot’s respirations
2. Kussmaul’s respirations
3. Hyperpneic respirations
4. Cheyne-Stokes respirations

ANSWER

ANS: 4
Cheyne-Stokes respirations are characterized by an irregular respiratory rate with alternating pe-riods of apnea and hyperventilation. The respiratory cycle begins with slow, shallow breaths that gradually increase to an abnormal rate and depth. The pattern then reverses, breathing slows and becomes shallow, and the pattern climaxes in apnea before respiration resumes. Biot’s respirations are abnormally shallow for two to three breaths followed by an irregular period of apnea. Kuss-maul’s respirations are abnormally deep, regular, and increased in rate. Hyperpneic respirations are labored, increased in depth, and increased in rate (>20 breaths/min); they normally occur dur-ing exercise.